5 Tips to Protect Yourself From Online Snooping

As we count down to the release of Snowden, hitting theaters Friday, September 16, we’ll be featuring one post a day this week as a part of our special #SnowdenSeries. We’ll discuss everything from data retention to the history behind the man himself, Edward Snowden, so you’ll have the full rundown of online security and what it means for you in 2016.

“I don’t want to live in a world where everything that I say, everything I do, everyone I talk to, every expression of creativity or love or friendship is recorded.”

Edward Snowden warned us about mass surveillance, but how much have we heeded his warning? To some folks, protecting one’s online privacy may not seem like a priority and can easily become nothing more than an afterthought in the grand scheme of things. However, the prying eyes of the government and other third parties have more of an impact on you than you may realize as your right to privacy is at stake. We’ve compiled 5 easy tips for you to protect yourself from online spying in order to maintain the anonymity and privacy you deserve while online.

1. Cover your webcam.

While it may sound like a case of paranoia, this simple technique may give you some peace of mind if you’ve ever wondered if you’re being watched. Simply slap on a piece of duct tape or tape a piece of paper to your webcam when you’re not using it. If you want to take this precaution a step further, go ahead and cover the microphone on your laptop or computer to prevent any third party from listening in on your conversations.

2. Use private mode on your browser.

This is an easy tip everyone should be using daily for basic online security, whether you want to be shielded from cyber criminals, government agencies, and everything in between. Most browsers offer this feature, which disables cookies from tracking your activity from website to website. For example, if you’re using Google Chrome, simply open the browser, click “More” in the top right, select “New Incognito Window,” and a new window will appear with a gray incognito icon, indicating that you are now browsing privately. The majority of popular web browsers offer similar steps for browsing incognito.

3. Use a search engine that doesn’t track your activity.

Believe it or not, all major search engines log what you browse for online and, as a result, create a history of your activity and search habits to ultimately target you with tailored results and advertisements. Ever notice ads featuring a certain product you had been searching for just a minute before? That’s a prime example of the kind of invasive, targeted advertising that third parties engage in, using your private data to their advantage. Luckily, search engines such as DuckDuckGo or Private.me shield your activity from this kind of spying, protecting your browsing history from falling into the wrong hands.

4. Use encrypted cloud storage.

When it comes to storing your important information, files, photos, etc., it’s safe to assume that cloud storage is among the most commonly used methods of backing up data, and also one of the easiest. But have you considered how secure your stored data is in the cloud? While most cloud storage services encrypt your data, that doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t hand it over to third parties or snoop on it themselves. To help avoid that risk, use a service like SpiderOak that allows you to encrypt your data locally, which means they are unable to access or unlock your stored data.

5. Use a VPN.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one security tool that encrypts your data end to end, using a VPN is your best bet. By connecting to a global server, a VPN hides your true address and shields you from being spied on by hackers, advertisers, and government agencies. It’s truly as simple as the click of a mouse, and will give you complete peace of mind about your online privacy. StrongVPN offers service for as low as $5.83 a month, and unlike other VPNs, never logs your data. This means that not only will third parties be unable to view your data, but StrongVPN will also not be able to snoop. Get started with StrongVPN today to begin encrypting your online connection for the ultimate privacy.

Want to know more about data collection and government surveillance? Find out in tomorrow’s installment of our #SnowdenSeries.